The reusable pods I use with my Nespresso machine work well After trying several, I found the Ecological Method ones and loved them. However, I have to grind my coffee very finely. A burr grinder is great, but I am looking for an automatic grinder. Can you suggest one? Perhaps I could purchase sealed bags of Nespresso grind from a coffee brand that is sustainably sourced? I would appreciate any help you could provide.

Hi Shahar! Reusable pods are a great option and definitely a step in the right direction for sustainability. Nespresso pods require a medium-fine grind for the best results, so investing in a good grinder that gives a consistent grind is essential for a good brew. Here are some of the best options for automatic grinders: Baratza Virtuoso Plus The Baratza Virtuoso Plus is the best overall automatic coffee grinder on the market. Powered by a 550 RPM motor and stainless-steel burrs, this grinder has been a favorite for over 2 decades. It has 40 grind settings, so you can grind your coffee for pretty much any kind of brew. The best feature of this grinder is the combination of an efficient motor and durable burrs which work together to reduce heat generation and friction to give you a consistent grind. The Virtuoso Plus is easy to handle and comes with a timer and grind setting dials. However, this grinder can be a bit expensive so it’s not a budget buy. Bodum Bistro If you’re on a budget, the Bodum Bistro is a good automatic grinder option. Made by the renowned Swiss-Danish company, the Bodum Bistro is one of the few electrical appliances offered by them (they are more known for their glassware and manual brewers). This grinder comes with stainless-steel conical burrs and a 720 RPM motor with 12 grind settings. The main container is made of borosilicate glass which reduces friction and makes the appliance easier to clean and maintain. The most distinctive feature of the Bodum Bistro is the friction clutch which sends out an alert if any debris is caught in the burrs and this helps prevent any damage to the grinder. This grinder is a good budget option, it’s also easy to clean and easy to use. Baratza Encore This is a conical burr grinder with 40mm stainless steel burrs and a 550 RPM motor. Many coffee professionals regard the Baratza Encore as a great beginner option while also delivering a high-quality grind. It has 40 grind settings and a slower grind speed which means less heat transfer to your beans and better grind consistency. However, a major drawback is that the Baratza Encore doesn’t have a timer so you have to manually switch it off when you’re done grinding. It’s not as hands-free as the others because of this. Capresso Infinity Nespresso pods require a very fine grind and the Capresso Infinity delivers this in spades. This automatic grinder comes with steel conical burrs and a 450 RPM motor, which makes it easy to use for beginners and homebrewers. It has 16 grind settings including extra fine and fine. The low speed also means that this grinder is quiet, doesn’t produce much heat, and stays consistent with grind results. The major advantages of the Capresso Infinity are the low price, consistent grind, low heat and noise, and ease of use. Baratza Vario The Baratza Vario is a flat burr grinder that falls into the ‘prosumer’ category (the intersection of professional and consumer quality). This automatic grinder features professional-quality ceramic flat burrs with a powerful 1350 RPM motor. The high-quality and large burrs give you a consistent grind every time and are also more efficient in the grinding process. But my favorite feature of this grinder is that it has a whopping 230 different grind settings so you can grind your coffee to any size and for any brewing method. The Vario is a little complicated to use at first because of the variety of settings but this only means that with some practice, you can become a pro at grinding your own coffee. It’s also quite expensive if budget is an issue. However, the quality of the grind is truly excellent. If you can, an alternative option to griding at home is to find a local café or roaster. You can research where they source their coffee or you can talk to them personally. Once you find a local sustainable brand, you can simply drop by every week and get your coffee ground freshly by them. Good luck!